As evidence emerges that many individuals maintain active sex lives well into their later years, physicians are being challenged to look past stereotypes and discomfort to broach to their older patients such sensitive topics such as sexual dysfunction and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

Emerging evidence over the past decade suggests that many older adults continue to have sex, many experience sexual dysfunction, and some are at risk of sexually transmitted infections. Yet many physicians never discuss these important health issues with their older patients.